2014 Fish house build

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I should clarify what I mean by 'lighter'. The weight savings comes from doing a one piece aluminum roof with steel studs. This allowed me to eliminate the weight of a rubber roof (~100#), glue (~20#), (6) sheets of plywood (~250#). A total of ~350# +/-.

A wood 2x4 weighs 1.6# per foot (depending on moisture). A steel 1x2x16ga weights 1.2# per foot. Using full 2x4's for the roof, around windows and doors, and in the corners basically evens out any weight difference for using ripped 2x4's for the rest of the studs. There is also additional weight for joist hangers and screws.

[honda400ex_treme]

I should clarify what I mean by 'lighter'. The weight savings comes from doing a one piece aluminum roof with steel studs. This allowed me to eliminate the weight of a rubber roof (~100#), glue (~20#), (6) sheets of plywood (~250#). A total of ~350# +/-.

A wood 2x4 weighs 1.6# per foot (depending on moisture). A steel 1x2x16ga weights 1.2# per foot. Using full 2x4's for the roof, around windows and doors, and in the corners basically evens out any weight difference for using ripped 2x4's for the rest of the studs. There is also additional weight for joist hangers and screws.

What did you use for your ceiling in your house?

[magicstix]

Not trying to hi jack your thread. Question for anyone.

Being your working with metal why fasten walls to frame with studs? Why not just weld it? Also why do folks put down floor board then walls on top? Why not put walls up first, then put the floor inside walls in case one may have to replace in the future?

Furring strip? If folks are saying you must use furring strips or walls wall get stains and rot where studs are, what's not keeping the furring strips from rotting and not your walls? Same on the floor Why doesn't the floor rot, it's screwed to a metal frame?

[honda400ex_treme]

A few more pics. Going to get a vynl wrap on the door to match the house. Got all the trailer lights done, windows/door installed this weekend and outside all sealed up. Just ordered the 2 flip sofas and each one will have a bunk above it to sleep 4.

[dirtymike]

Not going to lie, it looks pretty dang nice. You going to stick it on sakakawea most of the year?

[brian6715]

This is exactly why wood should have been used in the first place.

Steel is simply too expensive for most of us, more of a pain to work with, and if you cant figure out how to make the wood frame house not fall apart you need to really assess if you can build your own house.

If you ever want to see the difference between metal and wood go north on 169 by Milaca and compare the wood framed shell Ice Castle to a Yetti shell. The Ice Castle will have many temporary wood braces (one even partially blocking the doorway) and if you grab a corner of it you can move the walls. I asked about the bracing and was told it is for helping the house travel down the road without the walls moving so much. Then go across the street and check out the Yetti shell, you will see a completely different structure strength without having to use any temporary braces.

I have two friends with a popular brand of houses and both have had to have their siding fixed, as it became loose from flexing as the house traveled.

To say that a steel house is not superior is a completely false statement.

Awesome house, I am impressed. I am going to be starting my own thread here in a couple of weeks as I am in the process of finishing an 8x16 firebrand; keep the pictures and ideas coming!!

[honda400ex_treme]

Not going to lie, it looks pretty dang nice. You going to stick it on sakakawea most of the year?

Thanks, i plan on Sakakawea, Trenton, and a couple trips to Devils Lake. Probably some other smaller lakes as well.

[dirtymike]

Well if you have any questions or you're looking for a spot, I fish mainly audubon and east. Just send me a pm

Thanks, i plan on Sakakawea, Trenton, and a couple trips to Devils Lake. Probably some other smaller lakes as well.

[BuckSutherland]

If you ever want to see the difference between metal and wood go north on 169 by Milaca and compare the wood framed shell Ice Castle to a Yetti shell. The Ice Castle will have many temporary wood braces (one even partially blocking the doorway) and if you grab a corner of it you can move the walls. I asked about the bracing and was told it is for helping the house travel down the road without the walls moving so much. Then go across the street and check out the Yetti shell, you will see a completely different structure strength without having to use any temporary braces.

I have two friends with a popular brand of houses and both have had to have their siding fixed, as it became loose from flexing as the house traveled.

To say that a steel house is not superior is a completely false statement.

Awesome house, I am impressed. I am going to be starting my own thread here in a couple of weeks as I am in the process of finishing an 8x16 firebrand; keep the pictures and ideas coming!!

I never said the guys from Ice Castle are building a quality product. And we are talking about a fishhouse here, not some religious temple. I would put my wood built sprayfoamed fish house against a steel house and the challenges/expenses/time/weight any day. Any time you want to stop in and try to move my walls or put a hole in the paneling with your fist I will let you. I drive 60-70 MPH and have close to 25,000 miles on the thing. Still looks like the day I built it. Like anything else you just have to know what you are doing.

[SnowGuy73]

A few more pics. Going to get a vynl wrap on the door to match the house. Got all the trailer lights done, windows/door installed this weekend and outside all sealed up. Just ordered the 2 flip sofas and each one will have a bunk above it to sleep 4.

That's looking really sharp!

[RiverChuckNorris]

And we are talking about a fishhouse here, not some religious temple..........I drive 60-70 MPH and have close to 25,000 miles on the thing. Still looks like the day I built it. Like anything else you just have to know what you are doing.

Love the temple comment! Did you galvanize or use an aluminum frame? My frame is painted steel, 3 yrs old and rusting like it's life depends on it.

[BuckSutherland]

My trailer is made of steel. I cleaned it with a toothbrush and rolled on Herculiner. Has held up really well. Probably do some grinding and touchup next summer. Built in 2009.

[eagle_3464]

IMO, a galvanized frame is the way to go. Way to many stories of painted frames rusting and cracked aluminum frames.

Great job on the build Honda, looks nice.

[honda400ex_treme]

Anyone have any advice on where to put the stove? My buddys say put it in the "V"

but it looks so cramped with my girlfriends required bathroom. I put it on the inside of the wheel well and really liked the usability of everything there.But my friends think its in the way. I have 5' 6" in between the wheel wells. Any input would be great pictures are even better

[Kutz]

Here is the "V" of my Lodge. Has both the stove and bathroom.

[honda400ex_treme]

Made some good progress this weekend. The pics taken are with the lights on in the house. They turned out awesome and no shadows that ive found yet

[bak2MN]

Its looking good!!

[SHAWSKI]

very nice work.

[eagle_3464]

Looking good, continue to update as you make progress. Lot's of people look to these build projects for ideas as they consider their build.

[honda400ex_treme]

Thanks everyone! Its at a stand still for a week or so. Getting ready to drive down for the ice fishing show this coming weekend.

Anyone reccomend a certain kind of "porch" type outdoor light? I put mine on and dont really like them. Not bright enough and draw too many amps for their poor performance. Must be LED and look decent plus be as bright as possible as well. Thanks!

[eagle_3464]

RV, Marine F3528007 LED Oval Porch Light Clear & Amber Lens W/ON/OFF Switch

Try searching this on the bay and see what you think. I am very happy with them on my build.

[honda400ex_treme]

finally got it done

[fishing tech]

Looks great. How did you mount that antenna? That is huge. lol Nice job.

[38bill]

Very nice. Any plans on getting it weighed? It would be nice to know.

[cableguy2]

Looks Great....I like the graphics